The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed reports of an alleged jailbreak at the Benin Custodial Centre in Edo State, describing them as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Service Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, JIN Osuji, the NCoS said the reports, which began circulating on January 24, were completely unfounded.
The reports had claimed that three inmates, including two convicted fraudsters, escaped from the custodial centre on Friday, January 16, 2026. It was also alleged that one of the purported escapees was among those arrested during the 2020 #EndSARS protests and was yet to be convicted.
Reacting to the claims, Osuji said there had been no jailbreak, escape, or security breach at any custodial facility in Benin City or elsewhere in Edo State.
According to him, checks carried out by the Edo State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that all inmates were fully accounted for and that custodial operations across the state remained secure and under control.
The Service criticised the media organisation involved for failing to seek verification from the Edo State Command or the NCoS National Headquarters before publishing what it described as a serious allegation with public safety implications.
The NCoS assured residents of Benin City and Edo State that all custodial facilities in the state are secure and that there is no threat to public safety.
While reaffirming its respect for the role of the media, the Service warned that it would take appropriate legal action against individuals or organisations that publish false or unverified reports capable of causing public panic or undermining national security.
